THAILAND

Oh, the sea! That bedazzling, azure, ultramarine vision of picture-postcard technicolour paradise... with a perfect white-sand beach on a palm fringed shore... and we know we're in Thailand!  Grateful for a cooling breeze and the shelter of a beach bar... but otherwise happy to be doing nothing much... a refreshing swim, delicious Thai food and real tropical fruit drinks are enough to keep us happy. This trip with my sister is really to visit her son who lives here, which is a great opprtunity to visit Asia again, for which I'm truly grateful.

Paradise however, does have it's downside... and you don't have to go to Transylvania to get seriously bitten. "Ah, fresh English flesh" they buzz... and flock to feast on me!  It doesn't help to know that Matt is slowly and painfully getting over the Dengue fever... for the second time.   And its not only the mozzies that bite. A stroll along the beach is wonderful, but beware the sand flies!  Then there are ants, so small you only see them when they move... and like our very own midges... they carry a load of venom too.  They laugh at repellant!  However, you may be lucky enough to naturally repel these creatures by eating the right foods... alledgedly... garlic and lemongrass and probably chilli in high dosages if you can stand it.

Breakfast

Actually, this is our usual breakfast of fresh fruit and home-made yoghurt, sprinkled with cinnamon and cardamom and a little local honey... with not a hot spice in sight. The World's End Cafe at Chaloklum, run by Lotta from Sweden, is an oasis of quality home-made food and great coffee.

Thai food is wonderful; so tasty and healthy that we don't eat too much and actully began to lose some unwanted fat.  Keeping off bread and cakes helps and we certainly don't miss that.

Lotta at The World's End

It's the end of summer and beginning the monsoon season so tourists are few and far between... which suits us. We experience a couple of sudden squalls with heavy rain, just enough to cool the temperature a little. 

We've found that half the clothes we'd chosen to bring so carefully are just not light enough for the heat, so have had to buy more suitable attire, contributing to the locaL economy, and we do like to dress up in the evening to go out for a meal with Matt...

Yau

If there's one thing that's been worth all the expense of this trip, it's having regular massage from a wonderful woman who knows more about deep tissue, pressure points, lymphatic drainage and manipulation that any masseur or osteopath that I've ever met.  Yes, it hurt, but after having every joint, muscle and tendon pressed, pummelled, stretched and contorted into submission for at least an hour and a half, I was thrilled to realise that a chronic pain in my hip that's been bothering me for years, had actually gone... and hasn't returned. 

To my mind, the whole point of going on holiday is to leave our usual comfort zone and allow the experience of being in flight from home... adrift in the world... a foreigner in a foreign land... to renew our self confidence and sense of self with acceptance and trust that whatever happens is beyond our control... so better just go with the flow... its all part of the holy-day of becoming whole.

THE POLLYANNA EFFECT

#          Good Vibrations... The Beach Boys

This is Patsy Wynne inviting you to share the next hour with me... enjoying my choice of music... which sometimes surprises me... and always delights... HELLO to whoever’s listening in hospital... and to those who may be listening online... WELCOME to you too!

#1        Glad All Over.. Dave Clark Five

I caught an old movie on TV a couple of weeks ago... that I used to think was very naive and just too twee to be realistic.  The film was POLLYANNA... and as I watched it... I realised that this is what I actually base my life on... so maybe I really was affected by these ideas all those years ago.  So I’ll be contributing my thoughts on that... in between the music... which I hope will make you smile... or simply lift your spirits...

Or        Make Someone Happy... Jimmy Durante

Pollyanna , an orphan since her father died, goes to live with her strict and forbidding maiden aunt. She is an expert at her favourite "Glad Game" of always looking for something to be glad about... whatever happens.  And she begins to bring cheer into everybody's life, including the sick, the lonely, and the just plain miserable... even, eventually, her unhappy aunt. The rules of the game are that however bad something might be... you find something to be glad about.  For instance... if you’d planned to have a picnic and the weather’s turned to rain... what can you find to feel glad about?  Not... as a depressed woman in the film proposed... that she was glad other people were getting wet... no! The rules are that it has to be glad for everybody... so you could be glad that it gives you an opportunity to stay at home and do something useful... maybe clear out a cupboard or just read a book.

So how about it? Are you willing to play the “Glad Game”?

#2        I’m Glad There Is You... Jamie Cullum  

Isn’t that great? In this world of over-rated pleasures and under-rated treasures... I’m glad there is you...

The name Pollyanna has come to be applied to a person who is characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything... and far from thinking how impractical and idealistic this might be... I know now... after many long and eventful years on this planet... that this really is the only way to live a happy and contented life.  And just suppose that every time it rains... it rains... pennies from heaven...

#3        Pennies From Heaven... Frances Langford, Louis Armstrong , Bing Crosby

So when your fortune turns... or you lose something precious... how can you change an attitude of despair... frustration or resentment... into something glad?  So don't bring me down...

#4        Don’t Bring me Down... E.L.O.

Let’s say that your life is not great at the moment. Maybe you are in hospital right now. You could be cursing your illness or broken leg... or something much worse... but how could you feel glad about that, I wonder. Well... aren’t you glad you’re now in the right place that will hopefully fix that? Maybe you’re fretting about your enforced bed rest... when you should be getting on with all the important things you have to do.  So what can you feel glad about?  How about feeling glad you’re being forced to rest... because you’ve been doing so much you’ve tired yourself out. Or your mind has been going around in circles and getting nowhere... so the doctor has put you on sedatives.  Don’t fight it... just be glad you’re being given the opportunity to relax and recuperate! And what about you... who hate being in hospital and can’t wait to leave... but the doctor won’t let you go until you’ve had all the tests?  Could you possibly be glad of the opportunity to talk to people worse off than you?  When you feel glad about something... that changes your attitude and your whole vibration... and that rubs off on other people too. Are you beginning to see the light?

#5        I’m Beginning to See The Light... Sinatra

Don’t forget that we always welcome your requests for a particular record, or a mention of someone or something special... and if you have an interesting or funny story to tell, connected to a special song... we’d love to hear from you.   You can contact Radio Glan Clwyd by phone on 01745-584229... or if you’re here in hospital, on Extension 4360, or ask one of the volunteers going around the wards. You can also listen online at... www.rygc.co.uk

#6        All Of My Life... Diana Ross

 One of the hardest things to feel glad about is the death of someone dear to you... and in hospital that’s often inevitable. But in your grief... maybe you can find something to be glad about... that your loved one is no longer in pain.. that you had their love and companionship for the time you were together... that you have so many happy memories... and that your elderly relative had a long and happy life... hold onto the best memories... and be glad...

#7        They Can’t Take That Away From Me... Fred Astaire

How can you find something to be glad about in your current situation?

Those of you who’ve heard my show before will know that I usually give an introduction to EFT... and we can play the glad game with this too.  So now I’d like you to think about your situation... and any emotional feeling... of disappointment... frustration... apprehensive... whatever you feel. Now rate that feeling on a scale of 0 to 10... 10 being the very worst feeling you can get. (Write down the number if you can... and name that feeling.)  Now think of something you can really feel glad about... may not be easy... just wait for it to come...

And while you get into that glad feeling... start tapping the fleshy side of your hand... below the little finger... we call that the Karate Chop... and take a long deep breath. Keep tapping and say out loud... if you can..

Even though I’m feeling ....frustrated... I can choose to feel glad that...  (for instance) I have some time to think...

Even though I’m  feeling ...resentful...  I’m glad because... (as an exmple)  it will give someone else the opportunity to get on with it... and I don’t have to worry...

Even though I’m feeling... anxious... I’m now glad that... (maybe) I can let the doctors do what they’re trained to do...

Take another deep breath... and now we start tapping around the face.. 

1^st point... right between the eyebrows... just above the nose... tap with 3-4 fingers... and say... I was feeling...  but now I can feel glad that ..................... (whatever comes to your mind)

2^nd point... at the side of the eye right on the corner... either side... and repeat... I was feeling...  but now I can feel glad that .....................

3^rd point... under the eye on the cheekbone... I was feeling...  but now I’m glad that ...............

4^th point... right under the nose... repeat... I was feeling...  but now I’m glad that ....................

5^th point... in the cleft of the chin right under the lip... repeat... I was feeling...  but now I’m glad that ........

6^th point... collarbone... at the top of the chest... repeat... I was feeling...  but now I’m glad that .............

7^th point...  top of head... and repeat... This feeling of....... who needs it? maybe I could just choose to feel glad instead... because...............

Take note now of how that feeling might have changed.  Has the number gone up or down?

You can do this routine at any time... for any disturbing emotion... its that simple!

This next track is my choice... because whenever I hear it I always feel glad that I discovered Jazz when I was a teenager... searching on shortwave for something more interesting than the BBC... I found AFN... the American Forces Network... in Europe after the war... and this opening theme at 7 or 8pm every evening was so exciting... even though my Dad disapproved and kept turning off the Wireless... that’s Radio to you younger folks!

#8        Take the A Train... Duke Ellington

That makes me feel so good... and because I love all kinds of music... most of what I hear gives me reason to be glad that I can hear... that I can feel the beat and dance to the rhythm of life. And even though I’ve had my share of sorrow... disappointment... even despair... I’m glad to have had those experiences... because I can empathise with those who are going through them now... and that’s why I do what I do... from helping clients with problems... to doing this radio show... to helping care for the elderly.  So I’m glad you’re with me today...

#9        I’m Glad You’re Here With  me Tonight... Neil Diamond

 I’m glad you’re here with me today... because I so enjoy doing this show... sharing my thoughts that I hope will give you food for thought... and maybe give you another perspective on life... and even help you make any changes you need to make... in your thoughts and attitudes... to make your life better. So think about that... while we have a little relaxation...

#10      The Four Seasons... Autumn... Vivaldi      (FADE>>> talk over... )

Whenever you’re feeling disturbed... or restless... give yourself a break.  Now and then... take a walk in nature... somewhere quiet... by yourself... if you can... or go somewhere beautiful... in your mind... maybe some special memory... of a place where you feel safe... at peace with yourself... breathe deeply... slowing down each breath... relaxing into yourself... noticing whatever you see... or hear... anything you sense... without any judgement... slowing down the mind... all those thoughts whirling around in your mind... just let them float way... like little puffs of smoke... slowing down... relaxing the body... breathing slow and easy... just BEING... with yourself... and notice how that feels... with a peaceful mind... and love in your heart... that’s right... and whenever something disturbing comes into your mind... right away... find something to feel glad about... and feel your heart sing with love and joy...

We love to hear from you... just to let us know how you enjoy these programs... brought to you by volunteers... who hope to bring you some relaxation and pleasure while you’re here in Glan Clwyd.

#11      Aren’t You Glad You’re You... Gerry Mulligan

So... aren’t you glad you’re you?  I know sometimes we don’t feel good about ourselves... and we start telling ourselves how stupid we are... how could we have done that... or said that? 

So instead of beating yourself up about it... why not try writing down all the good things anyone has ever said to you... and all the times you’ve ever felt good about yourself... all the little achievements and joys you’ve ever had.  Now... even though you may sometimes feel like you’ve lost it... blown it... thrown your life away... simply accept yourself... as you are... love yourself anyway... and forgive yourself... and tell yourself all the things you’re glad about... and feel what it’s like to be glad you’re you...

#12      Can You feel It?... The Jacksos

I hope you can feel it... that glad feeling.

I’d like to thank you all for accompanying me on this journey today and I trust you’ve enjoyed my take on Life, the Universe and Everything... and this is Patsy Wynne signing off for today... from Radio Glan Clwyd...  and remember... Always look on the bright side...

#   Always look on the Bright side of Life... Monty Python...